These two weeks have been very eventful. The International Criminal Court equating the annexation of Crimea to an international military conflict, and the Human Rights Committee under the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopting a resolution regarding human rights in Crimea, which refers to Russia as an occupying power and Crimea – a temporarily occupied territory, are bound to have profound geopolitical consequences.

On September 26, the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee gave its consent to a visa-free regime with Ukraine by 38 votes to four against with one abstention. Before the final decision is announced, however, a so-called “clear position” will have to be forged between the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament itself. In accordance with European Union procedures, the final decision will be made through voting in the European Parliament. In case the proposition is confirmed, the parliamentarians’ decision will have to be ratified by the foreign affairs ministers of the EU’s committee.

During July 8 – 9, President Petro Poroshenko visited Warsaw where, during a NATO forum, he participated in a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission that took place at the same time, and took part in bilateral talks. Worthy of mention are talks with the Polish President Andrzej Duda, and prime ministers of the Netherlands, the UK and Italy Mark Rutte, David Cameron and Matteo Renzi, respectively. According to Poroshenko, the NATO-Ukraine Commission approved an ambitious, unprecedented complex package of aid to Ukraine. The package specifies about 40 sub-clusters of aid to the country. P. Poroshenko took part in a meeting of the G5+Ukraine Group, concerning the situation in Donbass and the implementation of the Minsk Protocol. President Poroshenko also awarded Alexander Vershbow, who’s nearing the end of his term as NATO’s Deputy Secretary-General, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

The US Assistant Secretary of State V. Nuland visited Kiev where she met with the highest government officials, deputies of the Rada, political party leaders, and public representatives. The main focus of the visit was Ukrainian reforms, especially those related to the socioeconomic system and energy policy, as well as efforts to reform courts and customs in order to fight back against corruption. Ms. Nuland claimed that elections in Donbass, which is no longer under Ukrainian rule, should take place in accordance with Ukrainian law, and meet all international standards, and that sanctions against Russia will remain in force until the Minsk agreements are implemented and Crimea is returned to Ukraine.

On April 12, the official results of referendum on Ukraine’s Association Agreement with EU, which was held six days earlier, were announced. The turnout reached 32.28 %; 61% voted against, while only 38.21% supporting the agreement. The Dutch Government will present the evaluation of the results to the Parliament in September. This month, the European Commission will offer a visa free regime to Ukraine. According to Reuters, Jean-Claude Junker, Head of the European Commission has already promised that to Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko in March.

The main topic for March 29 – April 10 was the advisory referendum held in the Netherlands which sought to identify the popular support for the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. According to the preliminary results, 38.1% of voters have approved association, while 61.1% spoke against. President of Ukraine P. Poroshenko qualified the referendum as an attack on European unity and stated that the results of the referendum will not disturb Ukraine’s path towards European integration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine filed a lawsuit in the UN International Court of Justice against Russia within the framework of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, says the site of the Foreign Minister. This is done on the instructions of the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, issued on 16 January.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.

The US House of Representatives approved a bill on establishing an inter-departmental body, the purpose of which would be to resist Russian attempts of "influencing the people and the governments" of other countries, - reported the Associated Press.